More than 600 people are waiting for an ambulance in the north west for the second day. In the face of huge pressure this week, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has made regular pleas to the public to think carefully before calling 999 for its services.
It has issued another message today (December 17), confirming that hundreds of patients are having to wait for an ambulance with both 999 and 111 services 'extremely busy'. The NHS trust also had over 600 patients waiting for an ambulance on Friday and Monday evenings.
In an update this morning (Saturday), a spokesperson for NWAS wrote on Twitter: "Thank you to everyone who shared our post last night! Our 999 and 111 services are still extremely busy today with over 600 patients waiting for an ambulance.
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"Before you call 999, please stop and think, is this a life-threatening emergency? If not, use http://111.nhs.uk. If you are calling us about a mental health concern, please use the mental health crisis lines available in your area."
In a video message filmed outside in the cold on Monday night, NWAS medical director Chris Grant apologised for the 'delay in getting care' to the public as he pleaded for help. "We need to keep our phone lines free," he said.
"So please, only call us back if you no longer need our help or if your own condition has gotten significantly worse." NWAS issued further updates throughout the week, while the Department of Health and Social Care described NWAS' recent performance as 'unacceptable' on Wednesday, as it promised billions of pounds over the next two years to fix the service.
There are two mental health crisis lines for Greater Manchester. In Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport and Tameside boroughs (plus Glossop) call 0800 014 9995. In Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford and Wigan boroughs call 0800 953 0285.
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